Kern tarweed facts for kids

Deinandra pallida, also known as Kern tarweed, is a special plant found in California. It belongs to the sunflower family, which is a very large group of flowering plants. You might recognize other members of this family, like daisies or dandelions!

This plant gets its name "Kern tarweed" because it was first found and is common in Kern County. It grows in different parts of California, including the Coast Ranges, the southern San Joaquin Valley, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. You can find it in counties like Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, and Kings County. Sometimes, small groups of these plants are also seen further north in Tuolumne County and northwestern Fresno County.

What is Kern Tarweed?

Kern tarweed is an annual herb. This means it completes its entire life cycle, from seed to flower to seed, all within one year. After producing seeds, the plant dies. It can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching up to 100 cm (about 40 inches), which is almost as tall as a typical 10-year-old!

Its Flowers

This plant produces many flower heads that look very showy. Each flower head is like a mini-bouquet of tiny flowers. They are arranged in a way that makes them stand out.

• Each flower head has 7 to 12 bright yellow ray florets. These are the parts that look like petals around the edge of the flower head.
• In the center, there are up to 21 disc florets. These are the small, tube-shaped flowers in the middle.
• The disc florets have yellow corollas (the petal-like parts) and yellow or brown anthers (the parts that hold pollen).

The combination of many flower heads and bright yellow colors makes Kern tarweed quite noticeable when it's in bloom.

Life Cycle of Kern Tarweed

As an annual plant, Kern tarweed has a fascinating life cycle that repeats every year.

Germination and Growth

The life of a Kern tarweed plant begins when a seed sprouts, usually in the spring after the winter rains. The tiny seedling grows quickly, developing a stem and leaves. It needs sunlight and water to grow strong.

Flowering and Reproduction

As the plant matures, it starts to produce its beautiful yellow flower heads. This usually happens in the late spring or summer. The flowers attract pollinators like bees and other insects. These pollinators help the plant make new seeds.

Seed Production and Dispersal

After the flowers are pollinated, they develop into seeds. Once the seeds are ready, the plant dries up and dies. The seeds then fall to the ground or are carried by wind or animals to new places. These seeds will wait until the next year's growing season to sprout and start the cycle all over again. This ensures that new Kern tarweed plants will grow in the same areas year after year.